First Record of the Mimic Octopus Thaumoctopus mimicus (Cephalopoda: Octopodidae) from the Arabian Sea: Range Extension and Genotyping

Abstract

ABSTRACT Two specimens of the mimic octopus Thaumoctopus mimicus were documented for the first time in the Arabian Sea during September 2018 off southern Kerala, India, from 15 m depth. The specimens had dorsal mantle lengths (DML) of 44 and 48 mm. Description and morphological measurements of the specimens are provided. The identity of the specimens was genetically supported by using cytochrome C oxidase I gene sequencing. This finding represents the first record of the species in the Arabian Sea, which signifies an extension of its known geographic distribution range.